US Rt. 15, Other Issues Raised During MDOT Visit To Frederick On Wednesday

State officials also updated citizens on local projects in the Consolidated Transportation Program.Frederick, Md (KM) The annual Maryland Department of Transportation “Road Show” came to Frederick on Wednesday night.   MDOT officials provided updates on local projects in the CTP, and heard from local  elected officials and citizens on transportation concerns.Improvements to US Route 15 in Frederick, the number-one local transportation priority, was brought up. “We’re in design, and construction is scheduled to start in 2028,,”  said Will Pines, State Highway Administrator.County Executive Jessica Fitzwater asked about funding for the Interstate 70 Phase Four which would cover that highway from I-270 to Mount Phillip Road. “The I-70 project would also increase safety related to the merging of I-270 and I-70 west, and address congestion through this segment as it transitions to future US 15 widening. We really see these projects working hand-in-hand. and everyone in here who has driven on those segments of road knows exactly what we’re talking about,” she said.During the meeting, Pines, the SHA Administrator, made an announcement regarding Md. 26 in Libertytown. “The CTP also includes funding–and this should be a crowd hit–for the design for pedestrian improvements for Libertytown along Maryland 26 from Liberty Elementary to Libertytown Community Park,” he said. “We know this is a priority for the county, and for the residents who have advocated it. And we’re so excited to make this step forward.”Rick Ludwig, the President of the Libertytown Community Civic Association, welcomed the announcement. “I just learned about it and I don’t really understand the full extent of it. My understanding is that hopefully it will take us all the way to 100 percent design. There will be some public meetings about that with the community so that we can get their input.”Ludwig also called on the SHA to support the Libertytown Connector which would take heavy truck traffic away from Md.  26 in Libertytown and funnel it to Md   75 and Md  550 north of the town.There were calls for more funding for transit from State Senator Karen Lewis Young. “Many people have said to me ‘you know, I would take the bus more frequently. We don’t have enough covers. I don’t want to sit out during snow or rain without appropriate coverage.’ So that’s a real immediate need. And, of course, more buses,”: she said.Councilman Jerry Donald requested that the MARC Commuter Rail Service be expanded. “The MARC: midday, weekend.   I represent Brunswick, Point of Rocks. They would love that for their economic development. It’s very important to them to expand MARC service,” he said.Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor discussed  several local  intersections. “We’re looking at a program on our Jefferson Street corridor in the city of Frederick as you enter from the west. There are a couple of really interesting intersections along that corridor. Great five-way intersections that are really fantastic,” he said.The Mayor also discussed turning the intersection of Jefferson Street, Prospect Boulevard and Pearl Street into a roundabout.The meeting took place at Winchester Hall.By Kevin McManus